Celebrating the 4th of July in Los Angeles

Happy Independence Day, Los Angeles!  I want to extend my warmest wishes for a happy and safe Fourth of July. This holiday is a time for family, friends, and community to come together in celebration of our nation's independence.

Los Angeles hosts some incredible events featuring fireworks and other displays throughout the city. Enjoy the sights over the water at Marina Del Rey, the July 4th Extravaganza in Warner Park, the Grand Park 4th of July Block Party, a 4th of July Drone Show at Hansen Dam, and of course the Hollywood Bowl July 4th Spectacular. Wherever you choose to celebrate, our team here at LADOT plays a key role in ensuring traffic moves safely and efficiently so that these events run smoothly. Our Special Traffic Operations teams have been hard at work crafting comprehensive traffic management plans to optimize traffic flow around these locations to make your experience as enjoyable and hassle-free as possible.

As always, safety is key to making the holiday celebrations fun for all. Unsanctioned, illegal fireworks pose a danger to both people and property. Instead, join us at the above-mentioned, city-approved events where safety measures are in place, and you can fully enjoy the festivities.

Also remember to celebrate responsibly while traveling to and from celebrations. It is never okay to operate a vehicle under the influence. Plan your trip with LADOT and LA Metro    
which offer transportation services that can get you to and from events!

Let's come together to celebrate our independence with joy, respect, and a shared commitment to safety. Happy Fourth!

Applications are Now Open for Phase II of the Mobility Wallet Pilot Program

LADOT and Metro are expanding the Universal Basic Mobility (UBM) program with Phase II of the Mobility Wallet pilot. The Mobility Wallet pilot aims to address systemic barriers to equitable transportation faced by low-income Los Angeles residents by providing subsidies for transit, rideshare, bike share, and more.

Phase I, which ran from May 2023 to April 2024, provided 1000 low-income residents of the historically underserved neighborhood of South LA with a prepaid $150 debit card each month to spend on transportation needs. Phase I received positive feedback from participants, who praised the program’s flexibility and reported that it made it easier to get to work, school, and doctor’s appointments.

Phase II will identify 1000 new, low-income residents within the South LA pilot zone as well as an additional 1000 low-income residents across LA county as participants to receive the Mobility Wallet subsidy.

To be eligible for Phase II, applicants must be 18 years old, live in LA County, and may not have participated in Phase I. The annual household income requirement is based on Metro’s LIFE (Low Income Fare is Easy) program. Participants will be randomly selected from all eligible applicants.

Applications for Phase II are open now through August 31, 2024. The application and full details, including income requirements, can be found at metro.net/mobilitywallet1.

Play Street Brings Community Together in Chesterfield Square

Last weekend, LADOT brought our popular Play Streets program to Gramercy Place in Chesterfield Square! Play Streets events empower community groups and residents to organize a neighborhood day of play by closing a street to vehicle traffic and opening it up for games, art, music, and more.

Community partners Chesterfield Square Block Club, the Office of Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson, and Empowerment Congress Central Area Neighborhood Development Council organized a full day of activities, including chair yoga, dance classes, and bike skills courses for kids. Neighbors were able to connect with City resources, participate in crafts, and enjoy a fun day of music, food, and community!

To learn more about LADOT’s Play Streets program, visit LAPlayStreets.com    

Specialized Transit Staff Complete Mental Health First Aid Certification Program

Congratulations to Specialized Transit staff members Bryce Fluellen, Martha Oliva, and Armando Lopez, who recently completed the Mental Health First Aid Certification program hosted by Access Services.

The team learned how to recognize the signs and symptoms that suggest mental health challenges, how to listen non-judgmentally and give reassurance to a person who may be experiencing a mental health challenge, and how to refer individuals in crisis to resources that can help.

LADOT salutes their commitment to serving all Angelenos with compassion and dignity.    

Stay Safe and Prepared During Excessive Heat Warning

The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning in the Los Angeles region through Monday, July 8. Residents are advised to avoid prolonged outdoor exposure, stay hydrated, and stay alert for signs of heat-related illness like dizziness, fatigue, nausea, and muscle cramps. Check in on and prepare your household, family, friends, pets, and neighbors.

LADOT bus services, including DASH and Commuter Express, are air-conditioned to keep you comfortable as you travel during this heatwave.

Do not leave young children and pets unattended in personal vehicles for any period of time. Cars interiors can reach lethal temperatures quickly.

The City of Los Angeles has hundreds of cooling centers open in the form of Recreation and Parks facilities and local library branches. In addition to these locations, the City is opening the following accessible Augmented cooling centers from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm from Wednesday, July 3rd through Monday, July 8th:

Fred Roberts Recreation Center    
4700 Honduras St.    
Los Angeles, CA 90011

Mid Valley Senior Center   
8825 Kester Ave.    
Panorama City, CA 91402

Lake View Terrace Recreation Center   
11075 Foothill Blvd.    
Lake View Terrace, CA 91342

Jim Gilliam Recreation Center    
4000 S. La Brea Ave   
Los Angeles, CA 90008

Additional safety tips may be found on the Los Angeles Fire Department’s website. For safety information in additional languages, please visit the City’s Heat Relief Outreach Materials.   

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Transportation Photos of the Week

Photos from Play Streets - Chesterfield Square